the warped mind
and darkened heart
of the one-eared painter
used a ragged life to create
the strokes of genius that
lifted and still lifts many souls
don’t be surprised that
meanness and kindness
ogres and saints
molesters and healers
are often seen together
that behind the curtain
of all you hear and see
is neither devil nor angel
but the Wizard who created
in His own image
this world of flawed gods